Tagged: Asian Skincare

Sunscreen is one of my favorite topics because I’m a freak who looks terrible with a tan. I have dedicated a seriously embarrassing amount of time reading about sunscreen/block.

There are so many different types of sunscreen and block to choose from. This is a great breakdown of the differences between physical, chemical, and combination sunscreens. Personally I go for physical or physical combos (products with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). I like physical sunscreen because it irritates my skin less and is more stable so (in theory) you can apply it less. Most often I can set it underneath my makeup and be protected for the whole day. While it is recommended that you do so with physical sunscreens, chemical sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours. I’m a lazy person who doesn’t want to mess up her makeup. Don’t be me.

It took me a really long time to find a sunscreen that I liked. I had issues with pilling, irritation, white casts, whatever. It felt like the longest and dumbest version of Goldilocks ever.

mmmmmm green sunscreen

Then I found Mizon’s Ultra Wonder Power Jelly Sun SPF 35 PA++. It is my holy grail sunscreen (don’t worry, I have a problem and will continue to try others all for your benefit). It was my first Korean sunscreen. Korea is known throughout the Internet for their sunscreen but I was super wary of all the hype (NYX is not as amazing as every makeup forum would have you believe). Needless to say, I became a believer.

It came out of the tube light green which, was weird but I figured that at least I wouldn’t have a white cast if it was green. The texture is amazing. It is not too thick like most sunscreens (I’m looking at you Neutrogena). It is a little watery (like the least amount of wateryness every) but it doesn’t run and rubs in easily. It’s also super moisturizing (although I do wear moisturizer underneath, I have perpetual dry skin) and incredibly gentle on my sensitive skin. Even better? There’s no white cast, no green cast, and it doesn’t even feel like I have sunscreen on. There’s basically no odor either. If anything it smells like being clean. If you’ve struggled with finding the right sunscreen for you, or you just don’t like the feel of sunscreen, then I recommend that you try Mizon’s Ultra Wonder Power Jelly Sun.

Although this post contains affiliate links, all items were purchased by myself.

I am obsessed with sheet masks. They’re easy, no mess, and make me feel like Patrick Bateman (which apparently is a good thing?). If I’m being honest though, I think the big appeal is taking creepy photographs of myself and sending them to my friends.

I picked up this TonyMoly sheet mask at my local Urban Outfitters while I was running errands today. I’ve had some issues with hormonal acne lately so I’ve been extra careful with my skin in order to minimize the inevitable.

I find it hilarious that seaweed is now an ingredient used by trusted skincare brands because it’s also one of those foods you are supposed to avoid if you are acne prone. That said, this mask doesn’t really do much in terms of acne fighting. I did find it ultra moisturizing and calming.

I tried to blingee this but the website wouldn’t let me.

The directions for the mask are super minimal. I threw this baby on afterremoving my makeup (Ponds Cold Cream and Lancome’s eye makeup remover) and dicking around on Photo Booth for half an hour sending horrifying photographs to my loved ones. The sheet itself is soaked in a watery serum that feels kind of gross when it’s just sitting on your face post mask. Before I go to bed I’ll finish up my nightly routine with face wash and lotion. I recommend treating this mask, and similar ones, as a relaxing 20-30 minute treat rather than a real supplement to your skincare routine. A huge part of taking care of yourself is taking the time to do something kind of decadent and relaxing, and this one (affordably) performs that task.

I take the Lisa Eldridge approach to face masks and use one nearly every day. Normally I throw on a mask while I’m washing my hair, painting my nails, or doing my laundry. Lately though, I’ve been experimenting with sleeping masks because I am lazy and sleep is one of my favorite activities. I have since fallen in love with Holika Holika’s Wine Therapy Sleeping Mask which is supposed to “hydrate, rejuvenate, and exfoliate skin gently.” I pop this puppy on whenever my skin is feeling a little dryer than usual.

Holika Holika is one of many Korean skincare brands that have a major cult following here in the US (hi /r/asianbeauty). They’re current available at Urban Outfitters and through various vendors online. They have all the hallmarks of Asian skincare: cute as fuck packaging, bizarre names, and seriously high quality products for great prices.

This sleeping mask is made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes which, if I’m to believe my Facebook news feed, help prevent signs of aging and remedy a lack of personality. The website description that calls it “light weight” and a “cream” is basically a gigantic lie. The actual mask looks and smells like a jell-o-shot. Please avoid this mask if you have a hangover, no one wants to puke when they have red goop on their face. I normally put a thin layer on my face, about as much product as I have on the scoopula in the picture on the right. This stuff is super gross. I tried to take a picture of it on my face that did it justice but alas, I am no photographer. I recommend putting a towel over your pillow unless you’d like your pillow case to look like you transformed into a snail in your sleep.

I most recently used this mask after holiday celebrations (aka passing out with an unwashed and makeup covered face) left my skin an acne covered mess. My usual nuclear war approach to fighting acne (seriously I am 24 years old my skin should have moved on from this) left my skin in the need of some serious TLC. I put the mask on about an hour after my usual nightly routine (minus chemical exfoliation) and woke up the next morning with some seriously improved skin. Just a warning, the mask feels super gross in the morning before you wash it off (I suggest a gentle cleanser like Fresh’s Soy Face Wash). Once the remainder of goop was washed off my face super smooth and happy skin was revealed. My formerly flaky PIH was smooth slightly less red PIH and one stubborn spot came to a head and was swiftly dealt with (I know this is a skincare blog but I refuse to talk about the mechanics of draining a zit. It is disgusting. There are other places on the Internet for that).

While I love this mask, it is gross. I do not recommend using it all the time–I personally can only handle getting snailed up once a month but it is highly effective and highly recommended. Wine therapy for all!